Each of the four seasons bring their own unique activities to do and weather for one to get acclimated with so it's no surprise that your mood can change when moving from one season to the next. Most of us are outdoors and enjoying the warm and inviting summer days during summertime but as fall creeps in and the temperatures start to drop we find ourselves moving back indoors. Just as a hermit crab retracts back into it's shell we too retreat back into our homes as fall comes around and this retreat can cause negative changes in your mood. It's important to keep a watchful eye on your moods during this transition so as to not slip into a depression, an affliction that can certainly negatively impact your day to day well being.

What to watch out for and what to do

There are several common signs of depression many of which you may have heard of before but it's important to be aware of these signs in order to keep tabs on your moods and the possibility of looming depression. The reason why many people are prone to depression during the fall and winter months is because of the weather changes, lack of sunlight, and alterations to one's lifestyle due to these things. When a person regularly enters a depressive phase during these months it is referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (commonly referred to as SAD).

So, what should you look out for this fall? What kinds of changes are a tell tale sign of depression? Some symptoms that are extremely common when one is in a depressive phase are a lack of energy, increased appetite and over eating (especially unhealthy foods), a lack of pleasure derived from activities that usually produce pleasure, over sleeping, feeling numb or "dead inside", changes in cognition such as a lack of focus, and more. If you are experiencing these symptoms do not immediately fret and scour the web for possible disorders as this will only lead to more duress and incorrect self diagnoses.

Your best bet is seeking out a professional meaning a general practitioner or licensed psychiatrist. Schedule an appointment and express to them exactly what you are feeling. Depression is a serious illness and can take a toll on your quality of life. You absolutely need outside help if you are experiencing a clinical form of this illness.

It's important to note that just because you are experiencing depression and SAD it doesn't mean that you must take medication. Medication can do wonders for you if you find the right anti-depressant but for some it does very little or only offers unpleasant side effects. Your doctor may suggest that you instead see a therapist and undergo cognitive behavioral therapy and try an exercise program before resorting to medications.

There is also another alternative solution for SAD that even your doctor might approve of known as SAD lights. These lights aim to compensate for the lack of sunlight one gets during the fall and winter months. You sit under the light for a few minutes every day and gradually, if all goes well, you will begin to feel a lift in your moods.

The fight is worth it!

Depression is something that can be treated and Seasonal Affective Disorder is a well known occurrence by those in the know. You can lessen your depression this fall if it becomes a problem and there are tools at your disposal. Lastly, you aren't alone in this fight. Millions of other people deal with SAD and many of them successfully treat it every single year. Reach out to others by visiting forums designed for people with depression to converse and build a support group to reach out to comprised of your friends and family.